Week 1 Summary

For the first week of the HPS program, the product development process (PDP) was introduced, and this included seven components. The first part of the process was ideation, which involved brainstorming different ideas to address the problem and the different factors which may influence the solution (such as the part limitation and the manufacturing process). The next part was to make a prototype, and this prototype would be useful for gaining insight to the potential for the idea you came up with, or it may give you a reason to rethink your design. The next step in the product development process is validation, which involves further testing with your product and considering how certain objectives were achieved and failure analysis. While validation may only be represented by one step, it can take a very long time for the process of validation to be completed. The next three steps of the PDP are mass production, sustaining, and end of life, which include scaling your product and operations, observing for consistent product functionality, and the discarding of the product respectively. While these last few steps were rushed through, it is important to note that the program mainly focuses on the first three to four steps due to the length of the program.

Ideation Sketches

The deliverables requested during the first week of the program involved brainstorming at least ten different ideas with problem statements. Below are my ten ideas for the parts included in the AIY kit. Of course, some of these ideas are not new, but the overall objective was to look at problems and see how the AIY project parts could be utilized to solve different problems.

Study Motivator

Problem Statement: Making sure to review course material isn't always the most encouraging, but with this device, the process of starting study time would be much easier.

Study Timer

Problem Statement: Determining the most appropriate amount of time to study is relatively ambiguous. This study timer provides a set time to study and take breaks.

Snack Suggestor

Problem Statement: Eating healthy is important for physical health. Getting a healthy snack suggestion is a good way to address your hunger throughout the day.

Senior Alert Button

Problem Statement: Seniors need more attention in their twilight years, and this button works to improve the response time of senior home volunteers with more attachement options.

Tray for School Supplies

Problem Statement: Finding school supplies when you need it can be very difficult, so this tray serves to reduce the number of spots your school supplies can be placed.

Cube Timer

Problem Statement: Having a faster solve time is important to competitive cubers, and this product will serve to keep the solve time without the pressure of seeing it.

Automatic/ Manual Fan

Problem Statement: Summer is a very hot season, so this automatic portable fan will cool you down without a conspicuous device.

Noisemaker

Problem Statement: Sleep is important, and is often neglected by today's generation. The noisemaker will ensure the user gets at least eight hours of noise to keep them asleep.

Chore/Task Reminder

Problem Statement: It is easy to forget responsiblilites during the day, but for routine tasks, it may be helpful to have a device to address chores that need to be done.

Laundry List

Problem Statement: Overfilling the washer can be hazardous. This device's weight timer ensures the user will know when the right amount of clothes is reached.

Week 1: Brainstorming